Physical Activity, Fatigue, Social Support, and Psychological Well-Being in Women With Primary Hypothyroidism

Background. Primary hypothyroidism, both clinical and subclinical, is frequently associated with persistent fatigue, reduced psychological well-being, and lower levels of physical activity in adult women. However, evidence integrating these psychosocial factors remains limited and methodologically heterogeneous. Objective. To analyze the association between physical activity and fatigue, social support, and psychological well-being in women with primary hypothyroidism; to compare these profiles between clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism; and to explore the moderating effect of social support and psychological well-being on the relationship between fatigue and physical activity. Methods. An observational, analytical, multicenter cohort study will be conducted including 96 adult women with primary hypothyroidism from the Principality of Asturias. Physical activity levels will be assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), while fatigue, social support, and psychological well-being will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, respectively. Confounding variables will include age, body mass index, type of hypothyroidism (clinical or subclinical), and time since diagnosis. Descriptive analyses, comparisons between clinical and subclinical groups, and multiple linear regression models will be performed. Expected results. The study is expected to identify physical activity levels within the sample and determine which psychosocial factors are independently associated with physical activity. Additionally, fatigue is anticipated to be negatively associated with physical activity, whereas social support and psychological well-being are expected to show positive associations and potential moderating effects.